Shocker.

Konnichiwa!!
Hey everyone, how are you doing? It's been a few hectic days here at the Mission Office, but things are finally settling down after the transfer period. Well, as you might have noticed, I did not transfer - which means I get to spend another fun 6 weeks with my awesome companion, Elder Goto, and working with our investigators here in HIkari. I feel a baptism.
So we were at prayer meeting with the President and the APs and just talking about how transfers went, and the new AP, Elder Bishoff, mentioned how he liked having me here. He likes me and Elder Goto, and said, if it were up to him, he'd have me stay here another 4 transfers (or another 6 months). We were all kind of joking, but we all looked at President Isa, and he sat back in his chair, and while looking at the ceiling, just slowly nodded. Well, I don't know if he meant that or not, but it sounds like I'm going to be here for a little while hehehe. Even my companion told me that I'll be here longer than him (which is weird, because the commissarian job is a much more demanding task than mine, usually having missionaries here for at least 6months). No comment....
So this week, our actual working time wasn't that long (because of transfers), but we did see some good things happening. The Izumi family is still on track, and we've got another family home evening with them tonight. They're just unbelievable! The mom is still praying like a seasoned veteran, and the children are all praying and reading too. The thing that touched me the most was when she said the youngest daughter (Michela, 4) got her older sisters to pray as a family while their mom was at work. In her prayer she thanked Heavenly Father for "how cute her mom was, and how cool she is" - she didn't mention anything about her sisters, but it's ok, we'll work on love later down the road, hehe.
Then we were able to meet with Mr. Karunjanwan - or Sonny, for short. He is a 35 year-old grad student who attends Hiroshima University (a well-respected institution in Japan), from Indonesia. He became an investigator on Saturday, and he's amazing! He has a family back home, and he was really excited to learn about the Book of Mormon and our Church. We're meeting with him next weekend. And he's even gonna start introducing us to his other Indonesian friends. He even took us out to lunch on saturday!!
The work here is going amazing. I love this country, and I've been amazed at the blessings poured out from Heaven. I've noticed my own testimony growing, and especially my love for the scriptures. I finished the Book of Mormon again and as I flipped through its pages and held it in my hands (as well as the other standard works) I just felt overwhelmed at the power it contains. It truly is God's words. It came through HOly Prophets of God, and restored by a latter-day prophet. I love it. It's true. I encourage all who read this message, to read it, study it, ponder, and pray for enlightenment, and it will change your life, given you renewed strength, and peace in your days. And as you follow it, more happiness is to come in this life.
I love you all, and I continue to pray for you. Please pray for the Japanese people. And also others around the world. They need His love. We, as His children, need His love. I miss you, and hope all is well. I'll wait for the e-mails!
Oh, and one more thing. Sonny:
....yeah, he's Muslim.
Love,

Elder Mourao